What is non-potable water?

• A. Water that is safe to drink.
• B. Water that is not drinking quality but may be used for other purposes.
• C. Water from recycled wastewater.
• D. Water with higher mineral content.

Answer: (B)

Non-potable water is water that is not suitable for drinking but can be used for other purposes. This distinguishes it from drinking water, which must meet safety standards for human consumption. In practice, non-potable water might be used for irrigation, toilet flushing, industrial cooling, or other non-consumptive needs, sometimes after treatment to reduce risks for those uses.

The alternative that describes water safe to drink would be potable water, which is not what non-potable means. Water from recycled wastewater is a possible source of non-potable water, but non-potable is a broader category that includes water not intended for drinking from many sources, not just recycled wastewater. Water with higher mineral content isn’t by itself a definition of non-potable, since many minerals can be present at levels that are still safe to drink.